Today, approximately 75% of the world's population live in the over 100 'lesser developed countries', colloquially referred to as the Third (and fourth) World(s). Collectively, these countries consume only 20% of the world's resources, but account for 75% of all the world's arms imports. What is responsible for such an egregiously disproportionate distribution of wealth? What has prevented the Third World states from developing into prosperous states like those in the West? Despite this confusion, however, most of those versed on the issue can fundamentally agree that the Third World is, indeed, a creation of the West. It is the objective of this paper to verify this assertion by reflecting on the historical construction of what we now know as the 'Third World', and considering the relevance of the prevailing theories that can account for its existence. 6 pgs. 16 f/c. 4b.